ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Information & Broadcasting
When we are growing up, a lot of our actions are not conscious: Ashmita Guha Neogi, Director of IFFI 51 Non Feature film ‘CatDog’
“The film explores struggles of adolescent years through a sibling relationship”
: Panaji, January 24, 2021
When we are growing up, a lot of our actions are not conscious. A child may indulge in something which he or she may probably not understand, but may gain meaning from it in the later years. Director Ashmita Guha Neogi said she explores this idea in her IFFI 51 Indian Panaroma Non Feature film CatDog.
The film has been screened at the 51st International Film Festival of India  in Goa on Saturday .
The period of adolescence is when “there is a world that you know and a world that you do not know”, said Guha Neogi at a press conference in Goa today. “This is the period of our life when the known and the unknown collide. Our film explores that through a sibling relationship”.
A brother and sister inhabit a fanciful world of their own, hidden from the eyes of their teacher-mother who has no time for them. The siblings keep each other company as they go through the vagaries of pre-adolescence and a changing dynamic at home. The shows how this siblings try and make sense things around them, and changes taking place between them. When the mother finally catches a glimpse of their world, their world faces the threat of crumbling. The two of them can either surrender or resist.
Speaking about what inspired her to make this film, Guha Neogi said, “At that point of time I was thinking what it means to grow with societal norms. All roles in a society and family are defined. I was thinking what if I can create a space where none of these definitions and rules exist? You recognize persons for their sexual identity. A brother and sister’s relationship became a perfect vessel for me to work with this idea of breaking away from societal impositions”.
“I do believe a lot of us have experienced or do experience something like this in our lives. But this is one of the most difficult experiences to carry with yourself. This is something that is invariably suppressed”, Guha Neogi added.
On being asked whether the innocence of the child characters have been killed, Guha Neogi replied, “It was a conscious act.” “Why shy away from doing something that does happen?” she remarked.
The name is inspired by a cartoon film where one end of a body had a cat’s face, while the other end resembled a dog’s face. “In the film, I tried to show that two different entities are stuck to each other”.
The Indian Panaroma Non-feature film has been produced by the Film and Television Institute of India . This is the diploma film of the Director who has graduated from FTII.
Ministry of Agriculture &
Farmers Welfare
Use of Modern Technology for Assessing Damage to Crops
The Department of Agriculture, Cooperation and Farmers Welfare, through Mahalanobis National Crop Forecast Centre  had carried out pilot studies for Optimization of Crop Cutting Experiments  in various States involving 8 agencies/ organizations during Kharif 2018 and Rabi 2018-19 under Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana . The review of these pilot studies was carried out by High Level Committee constituted for the purpose.
Based on the Pilot Study Reports, it was found that there is possibility of 30-70% reduction of CCEs .
Based on these results and the technologies which were verified during the Pilot studies, the Government rolled out Smart Sampling Technique , in 96 districts of 9 States, for rice crop, during Kharif, 2019. Around 1 lakh CCEs for Rice crop are conducted, during Kharif 2019, using Smart Sampling Technique.
Pilot studies have been undertaken for estimation of yield at Gram Panchayat level, during Kharif 2019, through 14 agencies, by use of technology . As soon as statistically sound methodology for yield estimation through technology is established for the crop, the same may be adopted.
This information was given in a written reply by the Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Shri Narendra Singh Tomar in Rajya Sabha today.
Ministry of Civil Aviation
Varanasi Airport facilitates movement of over 1800 kgs of Vaccine shipment
Movement of more than 128 oxygen concentrators from various cities
Special Medical Flights carrying Covid patients facilitated
Varanasi Airport has been actively contributing in the movement of COVID patients, Medicine and essential equipment in and out of Varanasi. Scheduled and non-scheduled flights are handled most professionally at Varanasi airport giving due care and importance to laid down government norms and protocols.
The airport facilitated movement of more than 1800 kgs of Vaccine shipment starting from January 2021, movement of more than 128 oxygen concentrators from various cities e.g. Delhi and Mumbai and movement of COVID patients through charter and Medical flights to major cities till date. Special Medical Flights carrying Covid patients were also facilitated through Varanasi Airport has always remained operational keeping people of Varanasi and surrounding connected to rest of the India along with handling international flights from London, Muscat, Dubai etc. The passengers are provided a safe passage from terminal till the boarding gate while maintaining high standards of hygiene, precaution of safe distancing. Masks and disposal of the PPE kits is also being carried out in most professional way.
The airport staff makes continuous requests to all the passengers, stakeholders, visitors and employees etc. to always follow COVID appropriate behavior and maintain staggered timing to minimize crowding.To create awareness regarding COVID appropriate behavior, ensuring safety of passengers, the airport is also sensitizing passengers through displaying instructions on several electronic monitors, displays  at the terminal, automatic and manual voice announcements and through various social media platforms.
Apart from this, Varanasi Airport has organized vaccination camps for all the frontline workers at the airport to help prevent the spread of COVID 19.
RKJ
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President's Secretariat
President of India inaugurates International Conference on Energy and Environment: Challenges and Opportunities
The President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind, inaugurated the International Conference and Exhibition on Energy and Environment: Challenges and Opportunities  today  in New Delhi. This Conference is being organised by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research.
Speaking on the occasion, the President said that in today’s era of rapid technological advance, energy and environment are major concerns not only for developing countries but also for developed countries. Global trends show that coal will remain the predominant energy source for most countries, including India, while renewable sources will also grow. The President said that India is committed to provide power to all citizens at affordable cost as well as boost the national economy through an industrial revolution in tune with Industry 4.0. He urged participants of the Conference to come up with actionable ideas on environmental issues related to use of fossil fuels and viable alternatives.
Click here to see the President's speech
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
India’s Cumulative COVID-19 Vaccination Coverage exceeds 107.70 Cr
Recovery Rate at 98.23% is highest since March 2020
12,729 New Cases reported in the last 24 hours
India's Active Case load currently at 1,48,922
Weekly Positivity Rate  less than 2% for last 42 days
With the administration of 5,65,276vaccine doses in the last 24 hours, India’s COVID-19 vaccination coverage has exceeded 107.70 Cr  as per provisional reports till 7 am today. This has been achieved through 1,08,69,517sessions.
The break-up of the cumulative figureas per the provisional report till 7 am today include:
|
|
HCWs
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
1,03,79,485
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
92,51,816
|
|
FLWs
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
1,83,72,277
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
1,60,01,188
|
|
Age Group 18-44 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
42,28,21,083
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
14,80,13,602
|
|
Age Group 45-59 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
17,59,50,688
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
9,82,24,169
|
|
Over 60 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
11,03,79,297
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
6,76,52,511
|
|
Total
|
|
1,07,70,46,116
The recovery of 12,165 patients in the last 24 hours has increased the cumulative tally of recovered patients  to 3,37,24,959.
Consequently, India’s recovery rate stands at 98.23%.
Sustained and collaborative efforts by the Centre and the States/UTs continue the trend of less than 50,000 Daily New Cases that is being reported for 131 consecutive days now.
12,729 new cases were reported in the last 24 hours.
The Active Caseload is presently at1,48,922.Active cases presently constitute 0.43% of the country's total Positive Cases, which is lowest since March 2020.
The testing capacity across the country continues to be expanded. The last 24 hours saw a total of
6,70,847tests being conducted. India has so far conducted over61.30 Cr  cumulative tests.
While testing capacity has been enhanced across the country, Weekly Positivity Rate at 1.25% remains less than 2% for the last 42 days now. The Daily Positivity rate reported to be1.90%. The daily Positivity rate has remained below2% for last 32 days and below 3% for 67 consecutive days now.
Ministry of Commerce & Industry
Indian mango promotion programme begins in Bahrain
Sixteen varieties of mangoes including three GI certified varieties sourced from West Bengal & Bihar being displayed in stores
A week-long Indian mango promotion programme began in Bahrain today where 16 varieties of the fruit including three Geographical Indications  certified Khirsapati&Lakshmanbhog , Zardalu  are being displayed.
The varieties of mangoes are currently being sold through 13 stores of the group in Bahrain. The mangoes were sourced from farmers in Bengal and Bihar by APEDA registered exporter.
APEDA has been initiating measures to boost mango exports from the non-traditional regions and states. APEDA has been conducting virtual buyer-seller meets and festival to promote mango exports. It recently organised mango festival in Berlin, Germany
In a bid to increase mangoes exports to South Korea, APEDA in collaboration with Indian embassy, Seoul and Indian Chamber of Commerce in Korea, last month organised a Virtual Buyer Seller Meet.
Due to the ongoing Covid19 pandemic, the export promotion programmes were not possible to be organized physically. APEDA took a lead to organize a virtual meet to provide a platform to the exporters and importers of mangoes from India and South Korea.
For the first time in this season, India has shipped a consignment of 2.5 Metric Tonne  of Geographical Indication  certified Banganapalli & other variety Survarnarekha mangoes sourced from farmers in Krishna &Chittor districts of Andhra Pradesh recently.
The mangoes exported to South Korea, were treated, cleaned & shipped from the APEDA assisted and registered packhouse & vapor heat treatment facility at Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh and exported by IFFCO Kisan SEZ .
Mango in India is also referred to as ‘king of fruits’ and referred to as Kalpavriksha  in ancient scriptures. While most of the states in India have mango plantations, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka have a major share in total production of the fruit.Alphonso, Kesar, Totapuri and Banganpalli are leading export varieties from India. Mango exports primarily take place in three forms: fresh mango, mango pulp, and mango slice.
Mangoes are processed by the APEDA registered packhouse facilities and then exported to various regions and countries including the Middle East, European Union, USA, Japan and South Korea.
Ministry of Defence
REAR ADMIRAL S VENKAT RAMAN TAKES CHARGE OF NAVAL WAR COLLEGE AT GOA
Rear Admiral S Venkat Raman, VSM on Friday assumed command of the prestigious Naval War College of the Indian Navy, at Goa. The Admiral took charge of the Navy's Apex Training Institution from Rear Admiral Sanjay Jasjit Singh, AVSM, NM. The Naval War College conducts training for senior officers, including foreign participants, on defence planning, strategic and operational subjects, with a view to promote a culture of strategic and operational thinking.
Rear Admiral Venkat Raman, is an alumnus of the National Defence Academy Khadakvasla. Commissioned on 01 January 1990, the Rear Admiral is a specialist in Communications and Electronic Warfare and has tenanted various appointments onboard frontline warships of the Indian Navy. His sea tenures include command of the stealth frigate Tabar. Prior to taking over command at Goa, the Rear Admiral was heading the Directorate of Naval Intelligence at Naval Headquarters.
He has completed several post graduate study programmes, including Masters in Defence and Strategic Studies in addition to a Masters in Management Studies from the College of Defence Management.
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ABBB/VM/MS 24/21
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Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship
NIESBUD, IIE and ISB come together to offer Entrepreneurial programmes to India’s youth
The partnership will enable, development and implementation of two entrepreneurial programmes
The National Institute for Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development  and the Indian Institute of Entrepreneurship , under the aegis of the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship , individually signed a Memorandum of Understanding  with the Indian School of Business , a top-ranked global business school on the 1st of September 2022, to offer world class management education through entrepreneurial programmes targeted towards youth, job seekers and budding entrepreneurs.
This partnership will enable, development and implementation of two programmes— Business Foundations & Entrepreneurial Skills and Behavioural Skills Programme by ISB faculty and industry experts. Additionally, NIESBUD and IIE will drive the enrolment of youth, job seekers and entrepreneurs on the ISB LMS, across these two training programmes. A joint certification will be issued to participants on the successful completion of the courses.
Lauding the partnership, Shri Rajesh Aggarwal, Secretary, MSDE said that stakeholders are striving to create ample opportunities for the youth and entrepreneurs, contributing to the nation's development. Today, skills are rapidly advancing and there is an urgent need to evolve adapt with these changes by providing relevant skill training to the youth. He also said that the partnership is in line with the overall vision of creating a holistic environment to support entrepreneurship and skill development, making India the Skill Capital of the World.
The Business Foundations & Entrepreneurial Skills programme will cover introduction to microeconomics and macroeconomics and foundational aspects of business are covered through marketing management, operations management, competitive strategy, negotiation analysis and basics of finance. Further, entrepreneurial skills are provided through this program by providing entrepreneurial orientation, understanding the start-up development pipeline and identifying market needs, problems, and opportunities.
The Behavioural Skills Programme is aimed at empowering youth with a range of skills and strategies to enhance their personal and workplace effectiveness. The course will include building self-awareness, inculcating growth mindset, effective verbal & non-verbal communications, presentation & public speaking, art of networking, building personal brand, art of storytelling, intro to technology, ace job interview, and negotiation analysis, among other skills.
Ministry of Tribal Affairs
TRIFED to celebrate its 34th Foundation Day tomorrow
TRIFED was founded on August 6, 1987 and will celebrate its 34th Foundation Day tomorrow. It was founded to drive tribal development through marketing support for tribal products, both, handicrafts and Non Timber Forest Produce . TRIFED will celebrate this day in a special manner, with due publicity, to raise awareness among one and all regarding the issues related to trade in tribal areas, and the need to ensure a fair deal for the tribes in the commerce of their products. The proposed event shall also recognize the achievements and contributions that the tribes and people working for them have made in this regard.
The event will feature Presentation on TRIFED’s journey, Announcement of Van Dhan Awards, Interaction of Tribal Beneficiaries with the Minister for Tribal Affairs through VC and addresses by Minister for Tribal Affairs Shri Arjun Munda and Minister of State for Tribal Affairs Smt. Renuka Singh.
Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers
Status of Pharmaceutical Export
Export of Drug Formulations and Biologics registers continuous growth over past three years
The measures taken by Department of Commerce to promote exports include various schemes under the Foreign Trade Policy , assistance under the Market Access Initiative  scheme, setting up district export hubs, Transport and Market Assistance Scheme etc. Trade delegations/buyer-seller meets with various countries are regularly organized for the benefit of exporters. Airfare support is also provided to the exporters with a turnover of Rs.30crore and below to encourage participation in business delegations/trade fairs.
The quantum of pharmaceutical exports of past three years, category-wise is as under:

|
|
S.No.
|
|
Category
|
|
2018-19
|
|
2019-20
|
|
2020-21
|
|
1
|
|
Bulk Drugs, Drug Intermediates
|
|
3911
|
|
3886
|
|
4430
|
|
2
|
|
Drug Formulations, Biologics
|
|
14389
|
|
15941
|
|
19042
Department of Commerce, in partnership with other stakeholders, is working towards boosting our presence in under penetrated/potential international markets viz. North East Asia, Africa, Middle East, Latin America, South East Asia etc. The Department is also actively taking up with MoHFW/CDSCO for promotion of newer products such as gene therapy, bio-similars, and specialty drugs to drive the next phase of export growth.
This information was given by the Minister of Health & Family Welfare and Chemicals & Fertilizers, Shri Mansukh Mandaviya in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.
Ministry of Women and Child Development
Priority To Cases Of Crimes Against Children
Dept. of Justice  is implementing a centrally sponsored scheme for setting up of 1023 Fast Track Special Courts including 389 exclusive courts for expeditious trial and disposal of cases related to rape and POCSO Act. As on 31.12.2021, 700 FTSCs including 383 exclusive POCSO Courts are functional in 27 States/UT which disposed 73627 cases and 184943 cases are pending in 27 States/UTs till December, 2021.
As per the data received from National Crime Records Bureau the State/UT-wise Period of Trials Completed in POCSO Courts during 2018-2020 is at Annexure-I.
This information was given by the Union Minister of Women and Child Development, Smt. Smriti Zubin Irani, in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.
Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs
Proposals for the construction of nearly 10.28 Lakh houses approved under PMAY
51st Meeting of Central Sanctioning and Monitoring Committee held
The 51st Meeting of the Central Sanctioning and Monitoring Committee  Under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana  was held on 7th August, 2020 in New Delhi. The Meeting was attended by 19 States/UTs.
In the meeting, 1589 proposals from participating States were approved for the construction of nearly 10.28 Lakh houses. These houses are proposed to be constructed across Beneficiary Led Construction and Affordable Housing in Partnership verticals.
Presiding the meeting, Shri Durga Shanker Mishra, Secretary, MoHUA said, “The progress made in PMAY is significant. I urge States to work towards achieving the target of constructing 60 Lakh houses and grounding of 80 Lakh by the end of 2020.” Further, he also called for effective implementation of ARHCs by States/UTs. “ARHC is a transformative scheme. It will improve the quality of life of beneficiaries,” he said.
This was the first CSMC meeting during the COVID-19 pandemic. This reflects the importance the Government has attached to the objective of providing pucca houses to all eligible beneficiaries of Urban India by 2022 with the vision of ‘Housing for All’. Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs  has laid renewed emphasis to accelerate housing construction and completion across the country within stipulated time under PMAY.
The states also put in their proposals for revision of projects due to various issues such as, of land, topographical hazards, inter-city migration, change of preferences of verticals, loss of lives etc.
With this, as on date, the total number of sanctioned houses under PMAY is now 1.07 Crores as against the validated demand of 1.12 Crore.
About 67 Lakh houses are grounded for construction and more than 35 Lakh have been completed and occupied. Total investment under the Mission is
Rs 6.32 Lakh Crore which has Central assistance of Rs 1.68 Lakh Crore of which Rs 72646 Crore of funds have been released.
The Meeting evinced tremendous response from the States/UTs on Affordable Rental Housing Complexes , a sub-scheme under PMAY  for Urban Migrants/Poor. The States/UTs were further familiarized with the Scheme and requested to take appropriate measures for its effective implementation. ARHCs are a major step towards fulfilling the goal of ‘AatmaNirbhar Bharat’.
Ministry of Railways
Upgradation of Railway Stations
Ministry of Railways through various agencies is undertaking techno-economic feasibility studies of Railway stations. Based on the outcome of these feasibility studies, stations are planned to be taken up for redevelopment in phases, especially the stations located in major cities, pilgrimage centres and important tourist destinations. The cost of station redevelopment project is to be met by leveraging commercial development of land and air space in and around the stations. Presently, work of redevelopment is in progress at Gandhinagar and Habibganj stations. Contracts for redevelopment have been awarded for Gomtinagar, Charbagh and Puducherry stations.
The facilities proposed in a redeveloped station include congestion free non-conflicting entry/exit to the station premises, segregation of arrival/departure of passengers, adequate concourse without overcrowding, integration of both sides of the city wherever feasible, integration with other modes of transport systems e.g. Bus, Metro, etc., user friendly international signage, well illuminated circulating area and sufficient provision for drop off, pick up & parking etc.
This information was given by the Minister of Railways and Commerce & Industry, Shri Piyush Goyal in a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha today.
Ministry of Defence
Exercise SEA VIGIL
The maiden national level Coastal Defence Exercise SEA VIGIL was conducted by Indian Navy from 22-23 Jan 19. The exercise witnessed the simultaneous activation of the coastal security apparatus across the country involving maritime stakeholders at the Centre and all the 13 Coastal States and Union Territories.
The debrief of Exercise Sea Vigil was held on 16 Apr 19. The debrief was chaired by Vice Admiral MS Pawar, AVSM, VSM, the Deputy Chief of the Naval Staff and was attended by high functionaries of the Navy, Indian Coast Guard, Central Ministries/ Agencies and State Governments/ Union Territory Administration, including intelligence agencies. All relevant agencies from the field units in different states participated through Tele-Conference.
The Chairperson highlighted the significant achievements during the exercise and complimented all stake holders for the progress made over last decade in the realm of Coastal Defence and Security. He complimented the strong interagency coordination and interoperability achieved during the exercise and reiterated the need for flexibility and agility to deal with security challenges.
Key takeaways from the exercise debrief were deliberated and disseminated to all for further action/ follow-up. The feedback from the exercise, and the deliberations, would be presented at the next meeting of the National Committee for Strengthening Maritime and Coastal Security .